Why?

Wikipedia defines a rider as: a set of requests or demands that a performer sets as criteria for performance.

Whether an act’s tour rider is ridiculously egocentric and/or overly materialistic, just plain outlandish in a fun way, a rock ‘n’ roll legend, or far more modest and unshowy than you might expect, nearly every touring artist has at least something that they request from the venues in which they’ll be performing at. It could be something as simple and understandable as a stack of towels, or in the case of some more haughty, self-indulgent artists, a rider might outline …

There’s a reason Yoni Wolf is awesome, and there’s no time like right now to learn why. This year marks 10 years since WHY? formed back in Berkeley, CA and won people over with their alternative hip hop. Now the band’s frontman just shared a new rap mixtape. Cue anniversary swooning.

Yoni Wolf is going on a solo rap tour with Serengeti and we’re guessing he’ll do a few of these live considering he’s refitting some of his old cLOUDDEAD songs, too. Give the mixtape a listen below:…

This year marks the 10 years since WHY? first formed back in 2004 in Berkeley, CA. The alternative hip hop group was started by Yoni Wolf, and today we have news regarding both.

WHY?’s last album, Mumps, Etc, came out back in 2012, but today the band has shared a music video for the track “Waterlines.” It’s straightforward in its shots, showing nothing but Wolf rapping sartorially in some shades against a yellow wall, but effective all the same. Watch it after the jump.

Along with the video comes news that both WHY? and Yoni Wolf (solo) will be touring. …

I had to read over the situation here at least three times to fully comprehend the amount of awesome possibilities that could erupt from a collaboration of this magnitude.

I’ve been a longtime follower and fan of the Wolf Brothers and their eclectic, genre-defying band WHY? (as well as their myriad of side projects) and was lucky enough to be a bit ahead of the curve on the young New Zealand phenom, Lorde, before she hit the mainstream charts with “Royals” and other hit jams, but to consider the …

Indie rap group WHY? are following up 2012′s Mumps, Etc. with a brand new EP titled Golden Tickets which will come out September 17. What’s the theme? The band’s fans. Cue the awwww’s.

Honestly though, each of the EP’s tracks focuses on WHY?’s relation to a different superfan of the band. It’s not often you get to see bands show the love back to their fans through music by pretty much returning the internet-stalking fans do for bands. Through this, WHY? have learned information about their song subjects without the fans ever knowing, later turning the info into lyrics.

When news broke about A Rocket To The Moon calling it quits, we like many of you were a bit confused. The band had just released Wild & Free, arguably the best album of their career, and they had plenty of plans to tour in the months that lie ahead. Things change, however, and now the group has spoken about what lead to their decision.

Speaking with AltPress in a new interview, frontman Nick Santino opens up about the way the music industry and life have changed in the last year. You can read an excerpt from the interview …

News has just broken that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based punk act Modern Baseballjust signed with Boston indie/punk label Run For Cover Records. Congrats guys!

Quick question, can someone tell me why so many good bands are coming out of the eastern end of the Keystone State? Snowing, Literature, Tigers Jaw, Title Fight… seriously, what are they treating the water with down there?

Which isn’t to say that Modern Baseball doesn’t have a sound of their own. Imagine a less Canadian Weakerthans chock full o’ youthful energy and you’d be close. Also, on a few songs, including …

Yoni Wolf and the rest of the WHY? gang throw their own version of a street parade in their brand new music video for “Strawberries” off their forthcoming full-length, Mumps, etc. The album drops October 9 via Anticon/City Slang. Watch Yoni lead a fleet of costumed friends in the video after the jump.

Mumps, etc. is currently streaming in its entirety at FACT, and trust me, you want to hear this album! It snuck into my top three of 2012 with ease. Like all of WHY?’s catalog, the album features a plethora of sounds and styles so don’t only …

Some of you have been asking what happened to Reasonable Remakes this week, but do not worry! The column is not gone, in fact it is more alive than ever, we just wanted to give you something special this week. You see, recently it came to our intention that certain people in Hollywood think remaking the cult horror film Martyrs is a good idea. Columnist Justin Proper (and the rest of the sane people of Earth, we hope) disagrees.

Please enjoy this special one-off edition of Reasonable Remakes and be sure to return next week for more informed ideas on …

Drama, Drama, Drama. When did the music business get this way? Max Wrye (That’s Outrageous drummer) has released a statement clarifying their reasoning for giving founding member Tom DeGrazia the boot.

You can read the statement below. Please stay tuned to UTG as this story continues to develop. If you see anything we havent posted, email us: utgjacob@gmail.com.…

Lo-fi is a term that gets tossed around a lot these days. It seems like everyone is eager to grasp at the DIY authenticity implied by the label. But true blue lo-fi doesn’t care much for labels, and Phil Elverum probably likes it that way. He’s labored away as the creative force behind Mount Eerie for the better part of seven years (and The Microphones before that), crafting a cornucopia of moody, ambient gems. And with the recent release of his newest LP, Elverum will be bringing those musical chops to the road this fall for …